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House of the Dragon seasonseason 2,2, episodeepisode 66 recap:recap: Power,Power, betrayal,betrayal, andand dragonsdragons
As we now enter the endgame of House of the Dragon S2 E6, ‘Smallfolk’, it rewards audiences for their patience. Tensions are rising, and the key players are showing their hands. So, time to dismount your dragons and follow us into the Chamber of the Painted Table. We have much to discuss!
WARNING: Spoilers and heavy themes discussed below!
Characters discussed in order of first mention:
- Jefferson Hall plays Jason Lannister
- Ewan Mitchell plays Aemond Targaryen
- Matt Smith plays Daemon Targaryen
- Fabien Frankel plays Criston Cole
- Olivia Cooke plays Alicent Hightower
- Emma D’Arcy plays Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Harry Collett plays Jacaerys, also known as Jace
- Anthony Flanagan plays Steffon Darklyn
- Paddy Considine plays Viserys Targaryen
- Sonoya Mizuno plays Mysaria
- Matthew Needham plays Larys Strong
- Tom Glynn-Carney plays Aegon Targaryen
- Phoebe Campbell plays Rhaena Targaryen
- Amanda Collin plays Jeyne Arryn
- Freddie Fox plays Gwayne Hightower
- Clinton Liberty plays Addam of Hull
- Steve Toussaint plays Corlys Velaryon
- Abubakar Salim plays Alyn of Hull
House of the Dragon S2 E6
The Regent
House of the Dragon S2 E6 picks up with Jason Lannister marching into the Tooth in preparation for an assault on Harrenhal and Daemon’s forces. Jason’s Twin brother, Tyland, sits on the Green Council as their Master of Ships. Jason provokes Aemond’s anger by summoning him to the Tooth ‘with haste’ to provide a defence against Daemon and Caraxes. Never one to be accused of cowardice, Aemond states he will join Criston for the attack on Harrenhal in his own time.
My uncle is a challenge I welcome, if he dares face me.
Next, Aemond promptly and coldly dismisses Alicent from his council. Besides the exciting action this foretells, this shake-up in the dynamic between him and the Greens, especially his mother, is a positive addition to the book’s events. Indeed, it proves vital for her character arc as she reflects on her failures as a mother.
Have the indignities of your childhood not yet been sufficiently avenged?
Jace’s Plan and Daemon’s Redemption
Back to team Black, they are still reeling from the loss of Rhaenys and are unsure of Daemon’s motives. Rhaenyra and her council resolve to follow through on her and Jacaerys’ idea of recruiting dragon riders from those nobles who descend from House Targaryen. Steffon Darklyn is Rhaenyra’s first guinea pig, distantly descended from a Targaryen princess. Seizing the opportunity to elevate himself to an equal in the eyes of his Queen, he leaps at the chance, despite the heavy risk to his own life.
Meanwhile, in Harrenhal, Daemon’s visions finally take a rather interesting and meaningful turn. Andrij Parekh directs a powerful scene that reimagines Viserys dismissing Daemon from court and promoting Rhaenyra as heir. It’s far from mere flashes of future conflict or shockingly violent/sexual interactions with his immediate family members.
Focusing on this pivotal moment for Daemon through the lens of the brothers’ relationship finally makes Daemon engaging. We just haven’t seen him this sympathetic since the start of the season. Viserys’ vulnerability in this moment of grief for his wife and child tears down Daemon’s defences. Tears form in his eyes as he fills with regret at the missed opportunity he had to be there for his brother.
To Ride a Dragon
Back on Dragonstone, Steffon finally meets Seasmoke, the dragon of Rhaenyra’s first husband, Laenor. Aided by the Dragonkeepers, his attempt to woo and tame the beast initially appears successful. Alas, Steffon’s bravery is short-lived. Seasmoke reminds us that dragons are not only powerful but dangerous beasts not to be trifled with. Both Steffon and a Dragonkeeper lose their lives in this failed attempt, and Rhaenyra’s cause suffers a further setback.
Back in King’s Landing
Murmurs of unrest continue to spread in King’s Landing as the unseen hand of Mysaria stokes the fires of rebellion at Rhaenyra’s command. The people of King’s Landing are still giving offerings to the Royal Family without being paid. At first, food prices increased, but the situation worsened over time. Now, the food has run out entirely, and civil unrest is brewing.
A single intriguing scene in an inn reveals Mysaria’s agents working to convince the smallfolk that it is the Greens who are responsible for their suffering. Mysaria reminds us that the quickest way to spur people into action is to give them someone to blame.
Overseeing his council as Regent once again, Aemond chafes at the self-interested advice he receives from Larys, eradicating any hope Larys has of becoming ‘the Hand of the Regent’. Aemond then visits Aegon, who has now regained consciousness. He quickly convinces Aemond that he doesn’t remember his brother’s betrayal, and he is left helpless before Aemond’s destructive ambition. We are left to wonder: what is to become of this erstwhile king?
The Fires of Revolution
In the Vale, Rhaena encounters shocking evidence of a dragon’s presence. A whole field is scorched and blackened with ash, littered with the bones of sheep. Book readers like myself will immediately recognise the culprit. Rhaena confronts Lady Jeyne, confessing a ‘large and formidable’ dragon has indeed been sighted nearby. With Rhaena desperate to take on a more prominent role in this war, I feel this beast won’t remain ‘wild’ for long. In any case, as young Aegon and Viserys play, baby Stormcloud (aww!) curls up to sleep like a cat.
The efforts of Rhaenyra and Mysaria finally come to fruition as boats filled with food and supplies wash ashore below King’s Landing, winning the smallfolk over to Rhaenyra’s side. This is contrasted by their attitude towards Alicent. The Dowager Queen continues to feel remorse for Aegon’s suffering, both physical and psychological. It goes without mentioning that Alicent is not entirely innocent when it comes to Aegon’s suffering.
She is comforted by her brother Gwayne’s encouraging description of her ‘kind’ third son Daeron, whom I, for one, am excited to hopefully meet soon. She takes Helaena to the Sept in a show of mourning for the dead, but tensions boil over in a truly terrifying scene. Both women become targets for an impassioned mob, who hound them down whilst hurling food and insults. Handled correctly, this plotline could prove one of the most exciting in the show, as the royal family and their dragons become the object of the smallfolk’s hatred.
To Be Claimed by a Dragon
Earlier in the episode, we learned that Addam of Hull feels neglected by his father, Corlys, compared to his brother Alyn. Addam’s usual task of crab fishing was interrupted by the Seasmoke. At first, Seasmoke seemed to terrorise all the fishermen, but we quickly learned he had his eye on Addam. Seasmoke chases Addam, cornering him against a rock, as we are left to infer that the lonely dragon has taken matters into his own hands.
We then join Rhaenyra and Mysaria in the former’s bed chamber for an intimate meeting. First, Mysaria opens up about a troubled childhood, suffering abuse at the hands of her own father. Then, Rhaenyra confides in her about her relationship with Daemon, unaware of his possible path to redemption. The two women share a moment of intimacy and trust, which becomes something more.
At Emma D’Arcy’s suggestion, the scene evolves as the two embrace in a passionate kiss. Those who may find this scene controversial, or at the very least surprising, may be interested to know that the book Fire and Blood implies that Rhaenyra takes a romantic, even sexual interest in Daemon’s first wife, Laena, of whom she grew ‘fond and more than fond’ (in George R.R. Martin’s words). This is to say nothing of the possible romantic interpretation of her and Alicent’s relationship in the first season.
House of the Dragon S2 E6
Watching these characters falter as they navigated ever-changing circumstances in episodes one to five humanised them against the backdrop of war. Rhaenyra’s indecision or Daemon’s constant visions in Harrenhal are far removed from the other major plotlines. Time will tell how long viewers can remain engaged as each player finds a renewed sense of purpose. The writers need to strike a balance, as we can only hope to see more direct and open conflict.
Episode seven airs on Sunday, the 28th of July, in the US. UK audiences must wait until the early hours of Monday, the 29th of July.
Feature image credit: Ollie Upton/HBO.
